Vintage dancing at Mouthful O’Jam

Can you swing, balboa or lindy hop? Photo credit: Lucie Robinson

Think about the 1920s and 30s: red lipstick, dresses, gloves, hats and feathers. A time of elegance, when women were the summon of femininity and men were real gentlemen with suits and nicely polished shoes. There were long play records, silver cigarette cases, and hotrods.

Even though these things are long gone in everyday society, they all come together again when this Saturday 1 May, London will see one of its hottest new vintage events – Mouthful O’ Jam.

Mouthful O’ Jam has gained lots of popularity since it first started in December and is now hosted every first Saturday of the month. It is a night of 20s to 50s hot jazz, swing, rhythm and blues and vintage dancing. A must for every dance lover in town, a chance to dress up and dance in a style that the mainstream culture has forgotten.

In the Salisibury Hotel in North London, a location which acted back then as a set for a Charlie Chaplin movie, everybody is welcome to swing until deep into the night.

“It is the perfect setting for Mouthful O’Jam,” explains Paul Golledge, aka DJ Swing Maniac, who together with organiser Gaia Facchini made this night a success. “We want to transport people to a bygone age where they enter into a glamorous art deco world. Imagine 20s speakeasy, where the law could raid any minute. I want you to think Flapper, Charleston and gentlemen who know how to behave.”

DJ Swing Maniac foxtrots with the best of them. Photo credit: Lucie Robinson

For those who are not familiar with swing, balboa or lindy hop, Gaia Facchini, a top dancer herself, will start the evening with a class for beginners. You will learn the basic swing moves during class and can learn the finishing touches whilst dancing throughout the rest of the night.

Come along to swing until deep into the night at:

Salisbury Hotel
1 Grand Parade
Green Lanes, N4 1JX
From 7.30pm to 01.30am

Entry is just £5, which includes the class.

The closest tube stations are Turnpike Lane or Manor House or take the 141, 341 or 29 bus and get off at St. Anns road. The 341 and 29 are nightbuses and will bring you back to Waterloo or Trafalgar Square.